Will coconut oil stop dementia?

Q. Both of my parents have dementia. I just read that coconut oil has helped some people reverse dementia. What are your thoughts on this?

I’m considering an experiment with it on my mom. I’d measure any changes in her cognitive condition by doing regular Mini-Mental State Exams (MMSE). Is there any harm in it?

A. There is a video circulating on the Web that appears to demonstrate a benefit of coconut oil against Alzheimer’s disease. Not surprisingly, there is tremendous interest in anything that might help slow the progression of this devastating disease.

We consulted Alzheimer’s disease expert Murali Doraiswamy, M.D., about this possibility. He pointed out that the brain has difficulty utilizing glucose for energy starting early in Alzheimer’s disease. Coconut oil is metabolized into ketones by the liver and may be used as an alternate fuel by the brain.

One pilot trial of a coconut-oil product suggested some benefit, but long-term improvement has not been established. Dr. Doraiswamy noted that coconut oil is widely used as a food in many parts of the world, but there is concern that high doses might adversely affect blood lipids.

Q. I tried your suggestion of blackstrap molasses for hemorrhoids, and it was apparent that it worked within a day.

I also had a pleasant side effect. I have degenerative back disease that keeps me on morphine, and I suffer from depression. Antidepressants don’t work for me.

Since starting on blackstrap molasses, I am now on top of the world. I looked online and found it has been used as a mood enhancer. This cheap product has changed my life. I’m the biggest doubting Thomas you will meet, but I’ve had great luck with this.

A. Thanks for your unusual report. We’ve been surprised by the number of people who report that blackstrap molasses helps hemorrhoids. There is no science to support that use, and we have never before heard that blackstrap molasses could lift mood. If others experience this same unexpected effect, we hope that they will report it here.

Q. My father was told he had low levels of vitamin D and that he should take a supplement. He read about vitamin D helping lots of problems, including diabetes, arthritis and the muscle pain from statin cholesterol-lowering drugs.

He began taking megadoses of vitamin D and ended up almost in a coma, with severe muscle damage. His calcium level when they evaluated him in the ER was 17.5 (normal is 8.6 to 10).

The doctors ruled out other reasons for elevated calcium and concluded he had vitamin D toxicity. It took five days of treatment in the hospital before he could walk well enough to go home. He is now almost back to normal.

A. Your father’s story really demonstrates the “Goldilocks” nature of this vitamin. Both too little and too much can be dangerous. The trick is to get the dose just right.

We recently discussed vitamin D with two of the country’s leading experts. They debated appropriate dosing, toxicity and the pros and cons of this vitamin. Anyone who would like a CD of our hour-long interview, plus a copy of our eight-page Guide to Vitamin D Deficiency may send $12.95 to: The People’s Pharmacy (Dept. CDD-23), P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027.

2012 King Features Syndicate Inc.